1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky #18 Value Guide (2026)

Wayne Gretzky holds more than 60 NHL records. Most career goals (894). Most career assists (1,963). Most career points (2,857). They don't call him "The Great One" as a compliment - it's a statement of fact. His 1979 O-Pee-Chee rookie card, #18 in the set, is the most valuable hockey card ever produced. A PSA 10 sold for $3,750,000. Even mid-grade copies sell for $30,000 or more.

Quick Value Summary


Item	1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky #18
Year	1979
Category	Sports Cards - Hockey
Set	1979-80 O-Pee-Chee
Card Number	#18
Manufacturer	O-Pee-Chee (London, Ontario, Canada)
Condition Range
PSA 3-5 (VG to EX)	$5,000 – $15,000
PSA 6-7 (EX-MT to NM)	$15,000 – $25,000
PSA 8 (NM-MT)	$25,000 – $50,000
PSA 8.5 (NM-MT+)	$30,200 (Feb 2026 sale)
PSA 9 (Mint)	$200,000 – $500,000
PSA 10 (Gem Mint)	$3,750,000
Record Sale	$3,750,000 (PSA 10)
Rarity	Common raw / Extremely Rare in PSA 10

The Story

Wayne Gretzky was 18 years old when the Edmonton Oilers entered the NHL in 1979 as part of the WHA-NHL merger. He'd already spent a season in the WHA, where he'd scored 46 goals and 110 points. The NHL establishment was skeptical. A skinny teenager who couldn't bench press his own body weight? In the toughest league in the world?

Gretzky answered by winning the Hart Trophy (MVP) in his first NHL season. Then he won it again. And again. Eight consecutive Hart Trophies from 1980 to 1987. He set the single-season points record with 215 points in 1985-86 - a number so absurd it may never be approached, let alone broken.

O-Pee-Chee, the Canadian card company based in London, Ontario, produced the definitive Gretzky rookie card. Card #18 features a young Gretzky in his Edmonton Oilers uniform, with the distinct O-Pee-Chee card stock and bilingual English/French text on the back.

There's also a 1979 Topps version of the same card, but hockey purists - and the market - strongly prefer the O-Pee-Chee version. Gretzky is Canadian. O-Pee-Chee is Canadian. It's the correct rookie card. And here's an ironic connection: Gretzky himself once co-owned the most famous baseball card in history - the T206 Honus Wagner.

How to Identify It

Key Visual Markers

Card #18 on the back
Young Gretzky in Edmonton Oilers uniform
O-Pee-Chee design: Color photo with player name and team
Back text in both English and French - this is the key distinguishing feature from the Topps version

O-Pee-Chee vs. Topps - How to Tell Them Apart

This is the single most important identification question for this card:

Feature	O-Pee-Chee	Topps
Back text	Bilingual (English/French)	English only
Card stock	Grayer, slightly thinner	Whiter, slightly thicker
Print quality	Slightly softer	Slightly crisper
Value	Higher	Lower

The back is definitive. If it has French text, it's O-Pee-Chee. If it's English only, it's Topps.

Condition Challenges

The O-Pee-Chee card stock is a collector's nightmare:

Edge chipping: The gray card stock chips easily, especially on the corners
Centering: Off-center printing is common
Surface wear: Shows handling marks readily
Wax staining: Cards at the top or bottom of packs often absorbed wax

These material issues are why high-grade O-Pee-Chee Gretzky rookies are so rare. The card stock was working against survival from the moment it was printed.

Value by Condition

PSA Graded

Grade	Value
PSA 3 (Very Good)	$5,000 – $8,000
PSA 4 (VG-EX)	$8,000 – $12,000
PSA 5 (Excellent)	$10,000 – $15,000
PSA 6 (EX-MT)	$15,000 – $20,000
PSA 7 (Near Mint)	$20,000 – $25,000
PSA 8 (NM-MT)	$25,000 – $50,000
PSA 8.5 (NM-MT+)	$30,200 (Feb 7, 2026 sale)
PSA 9 (Mint)	$200,000 – $500,000
PSA 10 (Gem Mint)	$3,750,000

The PSA 8.5 that sold on February 7, 2026 for $30,200 gives a solid benchmark for the current market.

The PSA 10 Story

The PSA 10 population for this card is in the single digits. That's not a typo. Out of every 1979 O-Pee-Chee Gretzky rookie that has been submitted to PSA, only a handful have achieved Gem Mint status. The fragile card stock, common centering issues, and 45+ years of existence make PSA 10s almost miraculous survivors. That's why the gap between PSA 9 (~$300,000) and PSA 10 ($3,750,000) is so dramatic.

Authentication & Fakes

What to Watch For

Trimming: The most common alteration. Cards are trimmed to improve centering or remove edge chips. A trimmed card will measure slightly smaller than standard dimensions. PSA and BGS check dimensions carefully.
Re-coloring: Faded or chipped edges touched up with markers or paint. Visible under magnification and UV light.
Topps sold as OPC: Unscrupulous sellers occasionally pass off Topps copies as the more valuable O-Pee-Chee version. Always check the back for bilingual text.
Reprints: Reprint Gretzky rookies exist and are sometimes presented as originals. The card stock, printing method, and aging characteristics will differ from 1979 originals.

Professional Grading

PSA or BGS grading is essential for any copy you're buying or selling for more than a few hundred dollars. The authentication process catches trimming, re-coloring, and other alterations. Always verify certification numbers online.

Where to Sell

Lower Grades ($5,000–$20,000)

eBay - Active market for hockey cards
Heritage Auctions - Good for certified copies
COMC - Consignment marketplace

Mid to High Grades ($20,000+)

Heritage Auctions - Leading auction house for sports memorabilia
Goldin Auctions - Strong buyer network
Classic Auctions - Canadian auction house specializing in hockey memorabilia

PSA 9-10 ($200,000+)

Goldin or Heritage - Marquee cards need marquee platforms

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Common Questions

How much is a 1979 O-Pee-Chee Gretzky rookie worth?

From $5,000 for lower grades to $3,750,000 for a PSA 10. A PSA 8.5 recently sold for $30,200. Most mid-grade copies (PSA 5-7) sell in the $10,000 to $25,000 range.

What's the difference between the O-Pee-Chee and Topps versions?

The O-Pee-Chee version has bilingual English/French text on the back, grayer card stock, and is the preferred version among collectors. The Topps version has English-only text and is typically worth less. O-Pee-Chee is considered the "true" Gretzky rookie.

Why is the PSA 10 worth so much more than a PSA 9?

The PSA 10 population is in the single digits. The O-Pee-Chee card stock is extremely fragile - prone to chipping, centering issues, and surface wear. A PSA 10 is essentially a perfect card that survived 45+ years against all odds. Scarcity drives the price.

Is this the most valuable hockey card ever?

Yes. The 1979 O-Pee-Chee Gretzky #18 in PSA 10 holds the record at $3,750,000. No other hockey card comes close.

Should I get my copy graded?

Absolutely. Even a PSA 3 is worth $5,000+. The grading fee ($30–$150) is a tiny investment compared to the value authentication adds. Just handle the card carefully - the O-Pee-Chee stock chips easily.